The second phase of the odd-even road rationing scheme to reduce air pollution and traffic snarls in the national Capital will begin for a fortnight on April 15.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought the cooperation of residents to make it as successful as the first edition. The odd-even plan for four-wheelers will continue till April 30 between 8 am and 8 pm, except on Sundays. The guidelines for the second phase are similar to those of the first phase.
However, vehicles with both odd or even registration numbers carrying students in school uniform will be exempted as also the vehicles being driven by women with women or children as passengers.
Incidentally, while the scheme had started on Saturday in the first phase in January a holiday for most Government offices, this time too it is starting on a holiday Ram Navami followed by two more weekend holidays for most Government employees.
Kejriwal, who has been making appeals for success of the scheme over radio and TV, said the scheme could be enforced for a fortnight every month in the national Capital if the second phase is also a success like the first phase was.
According to notification issued earlier this month, four-wheelers with odd registration numbers will be allowed to ply on odd dates (April 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29) and those with even registration numbers on even dates (April 16, 18, 20, 22, 26, 28 and 30).
There will be no restriction on Sundays (April 17 and 24). Violators will shell out a penalty of Rs2,000, like the last time. The road rationing scheme will be applicable between 8 am and 8 pm.
like the first phase between January 1 and 15 this year, two-wheelers are exempt from the scheme. Vehicles entering Delhi from other States will also be in the ambit of the scheme.
But since unlike in the first phase, schools will be open and functioning this time, vehicles carrying school students have been exempted from the restrictions.
Elaborating on the preparations, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said that 6,000 Delhi Transport Corporation buses would ply on various routes to ferry commuters.
“Around 4,000 Civil Defence volunteers would be stationed at various places across the city. like during the previous phase, they will give roses to the violators of the scheme,” Rai said.
Rai said two helplines 01142400400 and 01141400400 would be operational during the scheme. Complaints can be made concerning bus service and other problems at these helplines.
The exemptions to the operation of the scheme include vehicles plying on compressed natural gas (CNG), women motorists and several categories of VIPs.
The vehicles of the President, the Prime Minister, Governors of all States, the Chief Justice of India and high courts, Speaker of the lok Sabha and chairman of the Rajya Sabha and leaders of Opposition in both Houses, Union Ministers, emergency and enforcement vehicles like ambulance, fire brigade, police will remain exempted.
While no Delhi Government official or Minister would be exempted from the scheme, Kejriwal urged Union Ministers (who are exempted) to follow the odd-even policy voluntarily.
To gauge the impact of the scheme on the Capital’s air quality, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) will monitor the ambient air quality at 119 locations in Delhi and NCR.
The Delhi Government has launched an app called “Poocho Carpool” to give people more options for carpooling during the second phase of the odd-even traffic scheme.
The Delhi Government said that the Delhi Metro will make more trips per day compared to the first phase of the odd-even scheme.
“During second leg of the odd-even scheme, Metro will make 3,248 trips as compared to the first phase, where it made 3,192 trips during the day. Thirty extra coaches would also be added to the trains,” Rai said.
The Delhi Government has sought support from six neighbouring States in the implementation of the second phase by restricting entry of heavy diesel vehicles in Delhi.